Library Hosts Melissa of “Melissa & Doug” and Dan Woog of “06880” for Inspiration Conversation with Westport Together
Press ReleaseThe Westport Library is proud to host a conversation with Westporter Melissa Bernstein, author of Lifelines: An Inspirational Journey from Profound Darkness to Radiant Light. The conversation between Melissa and fellow Westporter and freelance writer Dan Woog, will take place on Thursday, March 18th at 7:00pm.
To register for this virtual program go to https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_QlkBkSdmQ0mdsLDw4XlwmA
Westport Together, an alliance that unites Westport by strengthening the health and well-being of youth within our families, schools and community and nurtures positive youth development through advocacy, education, and enhanced community connections is the Library’s Community Partner in this program.
Melissa Bernstein, along with her husband Doug, is the Co-Founder of the toy company Melissa & Doug, which has created over 5,000 children’s products and sold billions of dollars of toys since its inception. Raised by educators, Melissa and Doug started the business in Doug’s parents’ garage on Guyer Road in Westport in 1988, and they have been on a mission ever since to provide open-ended, inventive, non-technology playthings for young children.
Throughout Melissa’s remarkable career, she kept secret her lifelong battle with severe depression and anxiety. She reveals her struggles in LifeLines, her first book, which she wrote to help others who are also suffering. A book of struggle and salvation, connection and community, LifeLines is a framework for people seeking to understand their emotional lives and to develop their own path to self-discovery and inner transformation.
Melissa’s book also heralds the launch of LifeLines.com, an online ecosystem she and Doug are underwriting to support those seeking support, guidance, and community on their mental health journeys.
Dan Woog is a native Westporter. A full-time freelance writer and the author of 17 books, he blogs (“06880,” www.danwoog06880.com) and writes (“Woog’s World,” Westport News) about the people, places, events, trends and history that make his hometown such a vibrant place. He is also a nationally recognized speaker and consultant on LGBTQ and diversity issues, and for the past 18 years, the head boys soccer coach at Staples High School.
Rizzuto’s Adds Private Igloos with Electric Fireplaces for Pandemic Eating
Rizzuto’s Oyster Bar & Restaurant will be adding a new choice for private outdoor dining: personal igloos. The plastic structures include lighting and individual electric fireplaces for customers. The igloo fad has been hitting the Northeast as proprietors try to come up with ways to allow diners to remain warm while socially distant. Staff said the igloos would be ready for the upcoming weekend.
Sun Comes Out over Gray’s Creek
After a day of rain and fog, the sun did come out for sunset over Gray’s Creek this evening.
Frogger Video Game Returns; Westport Resident holds World Record
Frogger, a 1980s arcade game, has announced its comeback as a new show on the Peacock network (via NBC). In the article below, the world record holder for the most points won in the game is apparently held by a Westporter: Pat Laffaye
Frogger Coming To Peacock As A Reality Competition Series
By Mark Lugris From THEGAMER.comPeacock, the video streaming service owned and operated by NBCUniversal, has reportedly greenlit a live-action show based on Frogger, the iconic arcade game developed by Konami and originally published by Sega in 1981.
In the reality series, contestants will take on the role of the frog from the Konami video game as they attempt to cross a number obstacles, including traffic, alligators and hippos. The "crossings" are meant to challenge the players' strength, strategy and problem-solving skills. The winner will be awarded a cash prize.
Frogger, considered one of the greatest video games created, has sold more than 20 million copies worldwide. In the game, players must guide a frog to each of the empty "frog homes" at the top of the screen. Frogger, which can be played by one or two players, begins with three, five, or seven frogs, depending on the settings selected by the player. A four-direction joystick is used to navigate the frog across the lanes.
The original 1981 arcade version joined the Nintendo Switch and PS4 Arcade Archives on December 12, 2019. A remake of the original game has been announced for release exclusively for the Intellivision Amico.
The game famously appeared in a 1998 episode of Seinfeld titled The Frogger. In the episode, Jerry and George visit a pizzeria they frequented when they were kids and find that the Frogger machine still holds George's twenty-year-old high score.
The current Frogger world record holder is Pat Laffaye of Westport, Connecticut, who scored 1,029,990 points on August 15, 2017, becoming the first and only person ever to break one million points on an original arcade machine
Frogger is Peacock’s first original competition series. The streaming service, which launched on July 15, 2020, primarily showcases content from NBCUniversal studios and other third-party providers, including television series, films, news, and sports programming.
Frogger is produced by Eureka Productions (ABC's Holey Moley, Fox's Name That Tune) in partnership with Konami Cross Media NY. Eureka's Chris Culvenor created the format and will executive produce with Paul Franklin.